This page covers 3 recalls, 198 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Toyota Prius.
48 mpg combined
4.9 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake system complaints dominate the 2014 Prius owner report pool by a wide margin. Owners most commonly describe the brake booster and pump assembly failing, often with little or no warning, when it happens, the brake pedal becomes stiff and hard to press, stopping distances increase noticeably, and some owners report a brief moment of apparent acceleration before the vehicle slows. These episodes show up across a range of mileages and tend to occur during ordinary driving, including low-speed situations like parking lots and downhill turns. A secondary cluster of electrical system complaints covers warning lights illuminating together, ABS, traction control, and brake indicators appearing as a group, which owners say coincides with the loss of normal braking feel. Airbag-related reports form a smaller third group. The brake booster failure pattern, particularly the hard pedal combined with reduced stopping power, is the most consistent thread running through this vehicle year's complaint data.
198
Total Complaints
25
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
12
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Toyota Prius has 3 recalls, all centered on the same core issue: a component inside the hybrid system's inverter can fail and cause the car to stall or lose power without warning while driving, raising the risk of a crash.
The inverter converts battery power to drive the electric motor, and a module inside it can be overwhelmed by voltage spikes or high operating temperatures, causing the transistors within it to break down. In the more serious scenario, this failure shuts the hybrid system down entirely while the car is moving, leaving the driver with reduced braking assist and no propulsion. In a less severe outcome, the car may instead enter a reduced-power mode that severely limits how fast the vehicle can accelerate or maintain speed, which can be dangerous in traffic or on highways. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple filings cover overlapping model year ranges.
At a glance
What can fail
Excessive voltage in the inverter's power module may cause the hybrid system to shut down unexpectedly, stalling the vehicle while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the hybrid system software. If the inverter failed, they'll repair or replace it first. All work is free.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A voltage problem in the inverter's Intelligent Power Module may cause the hybrid system to shut down unexpectedly, stalling the vehicle while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the motor/generator control and hybrid control software at no cost to restore proper system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Transistors in the inverter module's power component may overheat and fail, causing warning lights to appear and reducing engine power so the vehicle can only travel a short distance.
What the fix does
Dealers will update software in two engine control units to prevent overheating. If the inverter fails beforehand, dealers will repair or replace it at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
